DSEL recently welcomed Tammy Peddle as HR Manager, bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience in building teams, developing people and helping organizations grow.
As DSEL continues to expand, Tammy’s role will focus on strengthening the people side of that growth, including enhancing corporate culture, onboarding, employee development, manager support and creating clearer opportunities for people to grow within the company.
For Tammy, strong processes matter, but so does making sure growth does not come at the expense of the culture that made the company successful. She believes people should feel valued, trusted and supported, while still being challenged to perform at a high level.
We spoke with Tammy about what brought her to DSEL, what has stood out to her so far and what becomes increasingly important as a company grows.
1. You’ve spent more than 20 years leading teams and helping organizations grow through people. What attracted you to DSEL at this stage in your career?
I realized that part of my work I’ve always loved most is people.
I’ve always been a people person. I care deeply about people, I’m very empathetic and I genuinely want to see people do well. DSEL gives me the opportunity to bring everything I’ve learned about leadership, business, relationships and growth into a role where I can focus on people. I’m excited to continue and expand on what DSEL has already started.
2. Now that you’ve had a chance to get to know DSEL, what has stood out to you about the people and culture here?
The people.
There is a lot of experience and knowledge here, and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know people and understanding what makes DSEL work. I’m also excited about getting to know people beyond their job titles. I think that’s important. People bring their whole selves to work, and when you take the time to understand people, you build stronger teams.
3. DSEL has grown significantly over the years. From an HR perspective, what becomes especially important as a company grows while trying to maintain the culture that made it successful?
As you get bigger, you need good processes and consistency, but you also need to make sure people don’t become a number. For me, HR is about finding that balance – putting the right things in place to support the business while still making sure people feel seen, heard and valued.
4. What do you think employees are looking for from an employer today, particularly experienced engineers and other professionals who have choices about where they work?
People want to feel valued. They want to feel respected, trusted and appreciated. They also want to know that their employer cares about them as a person, not just about what they can produce. I think people want opportunities to grow, but they also want flexibility, understanding and a workplace where they can be themselves. At the end of day, people spend a huge amount of their lives at work. They want to feel good about where they spend that time.
5. What role do managers and team leaders play in creating an environment where people want to stay, grow, and do their best work?
A huge one.
A manager can make someone love their job or make them want to leave it. Good managers listen, communicate, recognize people’s strengths and give people the confidence to grow. They also understand that everyone is different. I’ve always believed you can be accountable and still be empathetic. You can have high expectations while also being human.
6. As you look ahead, what are some of the areas you’re most interested in strengthening or developing at DSEL?
I’m excited about building out the people side of DSEL as we grow. That means strong onboarding, employee development, supporting managers and creating opportunities for people to grow within. But honestly, one of the things I’m most looking forward to is getting to know our people. I want employees to know who I am, know that they can come to me and know that I genuinely care about their experience here.
7. For someone considering a career at DSEL, what would you want them to understand about the company and the opportunities here?
I’d want them to know DSEL is growing, and that means there are opportunities to be part of growth. You can bring your experience, your ideas and your personality to the table. And I think that matters. The best organizations aren’t just made up of talented people, they’re made up of people who care about what they’re doing and care about the people around them.
For me, people are not separate from the success of a business. They are the reason for it.